Interview with Amirali Somji, General Manager of Silver Fox Contracting Dubai, about Pool Construction and Landscaping

Industry - Interview

by Meryem Aksoy

Silver Fox Contracting is a Dubai based swimming pool construction and landscaping firm. Founded in 1981 Silver Fox is one of the UAE’s oldest firms that specialize in swimming pool construction. For 37 years, with the experience of over 1000 completed projects, certified team members, reputable international suppliers and high-end material selection, Silver Fox has been building pools like sculptures and designing landscapes like paintings. In order to learn more about Silver Fox, swimming pool construction and landscaping, and the Dubai pool construction market, I talked to Amirali Somji, General Manager of Silver Fox Contracting Dubai.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

Could you tell us about Silver Fox and your team?

Silver Fox is a one-stop backyard solutions provider. For over 35 years, we have been customizing home extensions through landscaping, pools, woodworks and more. Our team is comprised of specialists who use aesthetics and function together with quality materials to create and maintain the perfect outdoor environment for our clients. We have a services division, MAK Pools, which is specially dedicated to the aftercare and maintenance for our clientele.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

What type of pools do you construct? Which design is the most popular?

We construct a variety of types of pools namely: lap, recreation, reflecting, diving, splash, skimmer, overflow, wet-coping, and infinity – all concrete built. Our most popular types are skimmer and overflow, but we do have several clients who choose to customize and combine types.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

What type of services do you offer to pool owners? What are the services that the pool owner need to take to keep the pool safe and useful?

General cleaning, equipment maintenance, leak detection, restoration and re-tiling, pump room care, water testing, and more. We advise pool owners to do regular cleaning and water testing to assure that the chemical balance in the pool is safe for swimmers as well as equipment longevity. Our team at MAK Pools provides a complete packaged service which caters to all our clients’ needs.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

What are the differences between renovation and creation? Which one do you prefer?

When dealing with a renovation, we are already working on an existing pool and or garden and giving it a new lease on life. Creation, on the other hand, is where imaginations run wild and we start from the ground up and cover every detail from planning, design, construction and final finishing touches. We enjoy doing both as the options are endless when it comes to creating a beautiful backyard.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

Could you explain your construction processes from drawing to finishing?

Our process begins of course with meeting our client and understanding what it is they have in mind and visiting their property to take measurements to advise and offer options. Once the ideas are in place, our team creates a draft design and a quotation for the prospective project. When all sides are in an agreement, formalities such as contracts, payment plans, government and municipality approvals, etc. are processed. Then, the construction begins. It starts with excavation, creating a foundation with steelwork and shotcrete, pressure testing, installing tiles, lights, filters etc., rerouting electrical and plumbing, and lastly filling up the pool and completing final details in the yard. After which we check that everything is to the client’s satisfaction, a completion certificate is obtained, and the final handover is done with a complimentary one-month maintenance service from MAK Pools. View a timelapse here

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

What is Landscaping? Does making landscaping and pool at the same time give you the advantage?

Landscaping is the art and science of modifying the land to an ideal form, function and design. There are two types of landscaping namely hardscaping (tiles, pebbles, wooden furnishings etc.) and softscaping (plants, trees, flowers, etc.) which are designed alongside each other to create a timeless extension to any home. A pool can be an amazing focal point in any backyard if the surroundings compliment it so. It is ideal to design a pool and landscape at the same time because we can take into account every detail and create the optimal ambiance.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

Could you tell us about commercial and residential pool construction market in Dubai? What is Silver Fox role in this market?

For such a niche industry, many would consider the pool construction market in Dubai to be big since most hotels and apartments have pools and the majority of people looking to rent or build a villa would consider having a pool. A swimming pool adds value to any establishment or home and provides endless hours of recreation. Silver Fox has been designing and building thousands of pools in the UAE providing a premium service for the past three decades.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

How much does an average residential pool project cost to your clients? What are the most important factors that affect the project cost?

There are many factors that affect the costs of a pool project. For a more modest pool, it can average Dh 80,000 (approx. 22,000 USD) but this can increase exponentially for more advanced projects or those that are custom-heavy. Factors we take into consideration usually involve the type and size of the pool, the overall design, the finishing materials to be used, equipment, the pump room, location, municipal approvals, manpower, and safety.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

How many weeks does it take to complete an average residential project? What are the most popular features that your clients demand?

An average residential project can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to complete and even longer depending on the requirements of the client. Our most popular features at the moment are water features, pergolas, raised planters, wooden decks, sunken seats, pebble/gravel paths, artificial/natural lawn, border tiling, stepping stones, solid edging between planters and lawn and porcelain tiling.

Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

What could you suggest to clients who want to have a new pool or want to make a large-scale renovation at their pools?

Plan carefully. When a client is thinking about a pool addition they must first consider the location and size they have available, the municipal approvals they would need to process for their area, the depth of the water table (underground water level), who will be using the pool, design and of course budget. It may seem overwhelming but with experts such as Silver Fox, clients will rest assured that their dreams can become reality.

Anything you’d like to add that I haven’t asked?

We always want to emphasize how important safety is to our clients. Regardless of how amazing your backyard and pool may look, what good will it do if it isn’t safe for people, especially kids? Apart from keeping the water cleaned and chemically balanced, it is important to install a protective fence with a self-latching safety lock to prevent children and pets from wandering into the pool area. Clients can take one step further and even install a warning system in addition to this but nothing trumps adult supervision. For times when the pool is not in use or undergoing servicing, it is recommended to set up a pool cover to prevent dust, dirt, and animals from falling in.

Thank you Amirali.

For more information, please visit website of Silver Fox Contracting Dubai

This interview was conducted in a Question-and-Answer format. The answers were checked for grammar and punctuation and published without any additional editing. Friday, August 10, 2018. All photos are the property of their respective owners.